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| Flu infects 100,000 in past week | Flu infects 100,000 in past week |
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| The number of new swine flu infections in England has doubled in the past week, the government says. | The number of new swine flu infections in England has doubled in the past week, the government says. |
| There were an estimated 100,000 new cases with the under 14s the worst hit. | There were an estimated 100,000 new cases with the under 14s the worst hit. |
| It comes as the National Flu Service is launched, offering sufferers access to drugs on the phone and via the internet without the need to see a GP. | It comes as the National Flu Service is launched, offering sufferers access to drugs on the phone and via the internet without the need to see a GP. |
| The latest death toll stands at 26 - the same as last week - but the Department of Health has reclassified the way it counts mortality. | The latest death toll stands at 26 - the same as last week - but the Department of Health has reclassified the way it counts mortality. |
| While there has been a number of swine flu deaths in the past seven days, some of last week's total has been discounted after an investigation by the government suggested swine flu had not contributed to their death. | While there has been a number of swine flu deaths in the past seven days, some of last week's total has been discounted after an investigation by the government suggested swine flu had not contributed to their death. |
| No breakdown of when and where the people died is being given. | No breakdown of when and where the people died is being given. |
| THE PANDEMIC FLU SERVICE To contact the flu service, call 0800 1 513 100 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicfluThe network of call centres is being staffed by 1,500 people to start with working from 8am to midnightThey are using a checklist to diagnose swine flu and can issue a voucher number if drugs are requiredThe public is also able to use the website to fill in the checklist and get access to the drugs that waySufferers are still able to go direct to GPs and the under ones, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions should all contact a doctor if swine flu is suspected Q&A: The flu service Send us your comments | |
| There have been four deaths in Scotland, but they are not comparable to the English figures as officials there have not used the same criteria. | There have been four deaths in Scotland, but they are not comparable to the English figures as officials there have not used the same criteria. |
| The Department of Health analysis suggested two-thirds of the deaths they had full data on were among people with severe health conditions, such as cancer. | The Department of Health analysis suggested two-thirds of the deaths they had full data on were among people with severe health conditions, such as cancer. |
| Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson also said there was may be "a little bit of possible good news". | Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson also said there was may be "a little bit of possible good news". |
| While new cases have increased from 55,000 to an estimated 100,000, the number of people in hospital has not risen accordingly. | While new cases have increased from 55,000 to an estimated 100,000, the number of people in hospital has not risen accordingly. |
| Some 840 patients are in hospital - 63 of which are in critical care - compared to 652 last week. | Some 840 patients are in hospital - 63 of which are in critical care - compared to 652 last week. |
| Sir Liam added: "There is no evidence to suggest it is becoming more virulent. Most people with no underlying conditions will get over the flu perfectly well." | Sir Liam added: "There is no evidence to suggest it is becoming more virulent. Most people with no underlying conditions will get over the flu perfectly well." |
| The number of people contacting GPs over flu has also doubled with 155 consultations per 100,000. | The number of people contacting GPs over flu has also doubled with 155 consultations per 100,000. |
| But the figure is well short of the peak during the 1968-70 pandemic when more than 1,200 people per 100,000 were asking for help. | But the figure is well short of the peak during the 1968-70 pandemic when more than 1,200 people per 100,000 were asking for help. |
| Checklist | Checklist |
| Sir Liam also said the pressure on the health service - every area in England is now experiencing "exceptional" demand - should be relieved by the flu service which has now gone live. | Sir Liam also said the pressure on the health service - every area in England is now experiencing "exceptional" demand - should be relieved by the flu service which has now gone live. |
| In the first few hours, the website was receiving 2,600 hits a second - or 9.3m an hour. | In the first few hours, the website was receiving 2,600 hits a second - or 9.3m an hour. |
| There were reports of it crashing initially, although it seemed to be working well later on. | There were reports of it crashing initially, although it seemed to be working well later on. |
| To contact it, call 0800 1 513 100 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu | To contact it, call 0800 1 513 100 or log on to www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu |
| It is the first time the public has been given access to prescription drugs in such a way. | It is the first time the public has been given access to prescription drugs in such a way. |
| Although people with underlying health problems, pregnant women and the under ones are still being advised to contact a GP. | Although people with underlying health problems, pregnant women and the under ones are still being advised to contact a GP. |
| FLU HOTSPOTS Tower Hamlets - 792 GP flu consultations per 100,000Islington - 488Greenwich - 441Leicester - 440Telford and Wrekin - 430Lewisham - 424Hackney - 419Barking and Dagenham - 415South Tyneside - 413Redbridge - 410 | FLU HOTSPOTS Tower Hamlets - 792 GP flu consultations per 100,000Islington - 488Greenwich - 441Leicester - 440Telford and Wrekin - 430Lewisham - 424Hackney - 419Barking and Dagenham - 415South Tyneside - 413Redbridge - 410 |
| A checklist is being used by call centre staff and the website to decide whether people have swine flu. | A checklist is being used by call centre staff and the website to decide whether people have swine flu. |
| If the virus is suspected, people will be given a voucher number to give to a flu friend to take to a collection point to pick up anti-flu drugs. | If the virus is suspected, people will be given a voucher number to give to a flu friend to take to a collection point to pick up anti-flu drugs. |
| The flu service is not covering the rest of the UK as Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have all experienced much less demand. | The flu service is not covering the rest of the UK as Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have all experienced much less demand. |
| They will be able to plug into it if they need to, although experts have said Scotland appears to be over the worst of this phase with 1,200 new cases reported in the past week. | They will be able to plug into it if they need to, although experts have said Scotland appears to be over the worst of this phase with 1,200 new cases reported in the past week. |
| Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, which has helped to design the checklist being used by the flu service, said: "What we have to remember is that this is a unique situation. | Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, which has helped to design the checklist being used by the flu service, said: "What we have to remember is that this is a unique situation. |
| "Some GP practices are receiving hundreds of calls a day and we have to prioritise so we can see the most seriously ill. | "Some GP practices are receiving hundreds of calls a day and we have to prioritise so we can see the most seriously ill. |
| "So as long as the call handlers get the correct training we can be confident in this service." | "So as long as the call handlers get the correct training we can be confident in this service." |
| Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "With pressure on the NHS continuing to escalate, there is still far too much confusion about access to diagnosis and treatment for swine flu." | Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "With pressure on the NHS continuing to escalate, there is still far too much confusion about access to diagnosis and treatment for swine flu." |
| And Liberal Democrat health spokesman Normal Lamb added the initial problems were worrying. | And Liberal Democrat health spokesman Normal Lamb added the initial problems were worrying. |
| Will you be using the phone and website service? Do you plan on calling the number to get help later today? Let us know by using the form below. | Will you be using the phone and website service? Do you plan on calling the number to get help later today? Let us know by using the form below. |
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